Gravel

[goldie]

I am changing my tank, and want to use fine gravel in the new tank. I will of course use the old water and filter sponges, but was wondering if my tank will have to cycle again?? also would it help if I put some of the old gravel into the new tank??

 

[The-Wolf]

put some of the old gravel in a clean stocking and lay that ontop of the new gravel. this will allow the bacteria to migrate into the new gravel.
remove the stocking after 3 or 4 days.
this should prevent the tank cycling again.

 

[goldie]

Thanks for the quick and very helpful answer.......About how much gravel would you use??? Handfuls for example.......

 

[The-Wolf]

no less than 25% of your current gravel
I have no clue about handfulls

 

[goldie]

Point taken I will fill a pair of tights ...joking apart, that was a great answer...thank you

 

[rdd1952]

Also, you mentioned using the old tank water to put in the new tank. It really won't do any good from a cycling standpoint as the beneficial bacteria are in the substrate, on the filter and on the plants and decoration in the tank. Only a very minimul amount of bacteria are actually in the water. The one possible benefit I could see in using the old water is if your tap pH is significantly different from what is in the tank. That would prevent the fish from having to adjust to a big pH change. Otherwise, I would just fill the new tank with clean, dechlorinated water.